Celeb Breakups: "Bachelorette" Stars

Engemann said her sister’s breakup with King had “been percolating for a long time.” She also argued that reports of King buying her a $16,000 car shouldn’t raise any eyebrows.

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"He also helped my mom get a car, my dad get a car," Engemann told Access. "Larry is very sweet, he's always been very generous to our entire family."

Larry and Shawn King were married in a hospital room in 1997 three days before Larry underwent surgery to clear a clogged blood vessel. They have two sons, ages 11 and 9.

The divorce petitions differ in that Larry King is seeking joint custody, while his wife wants physical custody.

Larry King is also asking a judge not to award his wife any spousal support and to invalidate an agreement in which he transferred property to her, court records show.

Shawn King's petition seeks spousal support from her husband, along with ownership of the couple's home in Beverly Hills, Calif., and two properties in Utah.

"His major concern is the welfare of his children," said Howard Rubenstein, a spokesman for Larry King, adding that the talk-show host would not comment further on the divorce.

While Shawn is King’s seventh wife, he has actually been married eight times, having divorced his ex-wife Alene Aknis twice.

King's nightly news and interview show has been a CNN mainstay for nearly 25 years. He has three children from previous relationships.

The couple started house-hunting in California shortly after their marriage and lived in Beverly Hills. He is a Los Angeles Dodgers season ticket-holder and announced the start of the team's home opener to fans Tuesday.